Pressure regulator valve

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to automatic transmissions of land motor vehicles. Specifically, the present invention relates to pressure regulation in the system of automatic transmissions of land motor vehicles. The present invention is a pressure regulator valve that limits TV pressure. This valve is meant to replace the original equipment valve in the same casing the said original valve sat. The pressure regulator valve is slightly oversized and the kit has an o-ring equipped end plug to more positively seal the valve bore and prevent pressure loss, known in the industry as EPC/TV pressure. Furthermore, the valve has annular grooves added to prevent side loading by properly centering the valve in a bore. The pressure regulator valve comprises a steel ball and a spring combination with a gel like substance being added to prevent high wear and tear of the entire valve.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to automatic transmissions of landmotor vehicles. Specifically, the present invention relates to pressureregulation in the system of automatic transmissions of land motorvehicles. The present invention is a pressure regulator valve thatlimits TV pressure. This valve is meant to replace the originalequipment valve in the same casing the said original valve sat. Thepressure regulator valve is slightly oversized and the kit has an o-ringequipped end plug to more positively seal the valve bore and preventpressure loss, known in the industry as EPC/TV pressure. Furthermore,the valve has annular grooves added to prevent side loading by properlycentering the valve in a bore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are several methods and apparatuses that are conventionallywell known. The present technology presently known is described below.There are several problems that are associated with the presenttechnology for the pressure regulator valves. The present inventionsolves such problems by introducing innovations making the presentinvention of superior quality as compared with the prior art technology.The problems associated with the prior art technology are high linepressure and harsh shifts or slide 1-2 related to slow line rise.Furthermore, there is a breakage of forward clutch drum caused by highengagement pressure.

[0003] The vehicles with a CD4E transmission often have excessively highline pressure, which can lead to broken forward drums and other parts.This high line pressure is due to unregulated EPC pressure forcing thepressure regulator valve into the maximum line position. Valve body borewear at the pressure regulator valve contributes to the problem byallowing balance and regulated line pressure to bleed through toexhaust. The present invention provides a solution to the above statedproblem. The present invention comprises a self-regulating pressureregulator valve that limits TV pressure. Annular grooves have been addedto prevent side loading by properly centering the valve in the bore. Thevalve has been manufactured from anodized aluminum to extremely tighttolerances and is slightly oversized to restore hydraulic integrity atall spool/bore interfaces, after the bore is reamed and the valve isinstalled. An o-ringed end plug is also included to prevent EPC/TVleakage from the valve body.

[0004] There are several known prior art patents that are available inthe field and their discussion follows:

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,036 to Ideta teaches a hydraulic controlsystem for lock-up clutch of torque converter. This particular piece ofthe prior art is a hydraulic control system comprising a pump driven byan engine to discharge hydraulic fluid, a torque converter having alock-up clutch with a lock-up clutch piston movable to a clutch releasedposition when fluid pressure within a lock-up release chamber is higherthan fluid pressure within a working chamber within a torque convertercavity, a line pressure regulator valve and an orifice which provides arestricted flow communication between the torque converter and the pumpeven when line pressure generated by the line pressure regulator valveis lower than a predetermined value. The present invention comprises aself-regulating pressure regulator valve that limits TV pressure.Annular grooves have been added to prevent side loading by properlycentering the valve in the bore. The valve has been manufactured fromanodized aluminum to extremely tight tolerances and is slightlyoversized to restore hydraulic integrity at all spool/bore interfaces.An o-ringed end plug is also included to prevent EPC/TV leakage from thevalve body.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,371 to Wirtz teaches a shift/regulating valvefor controlling a hydrodynamic torque converter for an automatictransmission comprising a shifting component, a valve body defining acontrol pressure chamber for a fluid mechanism having an end facing theshifting component, an end remote from the shifting component, and aguide bore extending from the control pressure chamber to the end remotefrom the shifting component. Furthermore, this prior art furthercomprises a spool disclosed slidably in the guide bore and having atleast one control groove thereon, a control pressure outlet from thecontrol pressure chamber, a first pressure connection to the controlpressure chamber and a second pressure connection connecting at leastone working chamber with at least one outlet. Moreover, theshift/regulating valve comprises a resilient element for biasing thespool toward the shifting component, wherein a second pressureconnection is connected to an outlet through a control groove, a controlmember located in the control pressure chamber, having a first endremote from the shifting component projecting into the guide bore, and alongitudinal bore connecting the control pressure chamber to aregulating pressure chamber bounded by the spool and the control memberand a pressure connection terminating in the end of the control pressurechamber remote from the shifting component. The present inventionprovides numerous differences and advantages over the prior art. Thepresent invention is a self-regulating pressure regulator valve thatlimits TV pressure. Annular grooves have been added to prevent sideloading by properly centering the valve in the bore. The valve has beenmanufactured from anodized aluminum to extremely tight tolerances and isslightly oversized to restore hydraulic integrity at all spool/boreinterfaces. An o-ringed end plug is also included to prevent EPC/TVleakage from the valve body.

[0007] The discussed prior art presents a formidable database ofinformation. However, this prior art does not attempt to solve theproblems that the present invention is designed to answer. The presentinvention is a pressure regulator valve that prevents high wear and tearwhen used under normal operational conditions of a land motor vehicletransmission.

[0008] It should be clear to one skilled in the art, that the abovediscussed prior art is used for the purposes of illustration and shouldnot be construed as limiting in any way, except for the prior artelements claimed in the above patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide for apressure regulator valve replacement assembly used in land motor vehicletransmissions.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide for apressure regulator valve replacement assembly used in land motor vehicletransmissions comprising a spring mechanism, a steel ball and a pressuresnout.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide for apressure regulator valve replacement assembly used in land motor vehicletransmission comprising a spring mechanism, wherein said springmechanism further comprises of a music wire.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide for apressure regulator valve replacement assembly used in land motor vehicletransmissions wherein said pressure regulator valve assembly ismanufactured from aluminum.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide for apressure regulator valve replacement assembly used in land motor vehicletransmission wherein said valve assembly comprises of a gel-likematerial that is capable of holding parts of said valve assemblytogether and serving as a lubricant in said assembly.

[0014] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent fromthe foregoing description. It should be understood by one skilled in theart that the terms and identifications used by the applicant should notbe interpreted as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment orobject described above. Only the prior described above contains possiblelimitations to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The following description of preferred embodiment of the presentinvention will be better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the inventionis not limited to the precise arrangements shown in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the present invention showingthe pressure regulator valve, the valve snout, the steel ball, and thespring.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the present invention showinga snout of the pressure regulator valve.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the present invention showingthe pressure regulator valve.

[0019]FIG. 4 is taken from view x of FIG. 3 of the present inventionshowing the shape of one of the annular grooves on the pressureregulator valve.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a plain view of the present invention showing the plugused to seal the valve body bore.

[0021]FIG. 6 is taken from view y of FIG. 5 of the present inventionshowing a shape of an o-ring groove of the plug used to seal the valvebody bore.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the present invention showingthe pressure regulator valve, the valve snout, the steel ball, thespring, the valve body casing bore, and the o-ringed grooved plug.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a plain view of the present invention showing the o-ringto be used in the o-ring groove on the plug.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] The present invention relates to a pressure regulator valvereplacement assembly. The present invention would be better understoodin conjunction with a following description of a preferred embodiment.However, it is understood by one skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to the above referenced specific embodiment,but other embodiments are allowable, provided they are within the scopeand spirit of the following claims.

[0025] In the following description, references to the drawings, certainterms are used for conciseness, clarity and comprehension. It is assumedby one skilled in the art that there are to be no unnecessarylimitations implied from the such references, besides the limitationsimposed by the prior art, because such terms and references are used fordescriptive purposes only and intended to be broadly construed.Furthermore, the description and the drawings are for illustrativepurposes only and not to be construed as limited to the exact detailsshown, depicted, represented, or described.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is shown comprising apressure regulator valve assembly 10. In a particular embodiment, thevalve 10 may be fabricated from anodized aluminum to withstand extremelytight tolerances and is slightly oversized to restore hydraulicintegrity, at all spool/bore interfaces, after the bore is reamed. Theassembly 10 comprises a body 27, a snout 12, which is further shown inFIG. 2 and will subsequently be described in more detail. The assembly10 has a ball 14 that is placed in the entrance. Furthermore, the spacethat is formed between the walls 15 and 17 of the snout 14 is filledwith a lubricant gel like substance 21, which prevents valve assembly 10from fast degeneration from the pressure that is being applied to it.The assembly 10 further comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a spring 22, thatcompresses at an according rate to allow a certain amount of pressure tobe let it. Whenever a pressure is applied to the valve assembly 10,spring 21 compresses under the pressure of the ball 14.

[0027] In one embodiment, the ball 14, as shown in FIG. 1, may befabricated from pure steel and may have a diameter of 1.1875 inches.Furthermore, in another embodiment, the spring 22 may be a musical wirethat is compressible at a specified frequency of compression of 10cycles per second and a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally,in yet another embodiment, the lubricant 21 may be any conventionallyknown lubricant that would perform like a gel.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the snout 12 is shown. The snout 12 haswalls 15 and 17 that come in contact with the ball 14. The walls 15 and17 form a trapezoidal structure that is capable of receiving the ball.The top of this structure has a channel 19 and an opening 13 that leadsout of the valve assembly 10. On the opposite end of the snout, theouter casing is threaded 50 in order to properly connect with thethreaded part of the valve body 40 shown in FIG. 3.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the present invention is shown tohave annular grooves 30. The annular grooves 30 serve to prevent sideloading by properly stabilizing and centering the valve 10 in the bore.FIG. 4 shows the annular grooves from view X of FIG. 3.

[0030] Plug 52, as shown in FIG. 5, seals the end opening of the valvebody casing bore in which the pressure regulator valve assembly 10,shown in FIG. 1, sits. The plug 52 is an addition, which serves toprevent EPC/TV pressure leakage from the bore. The plug 52 is insertedin the end of the valve body casing bore after the bore has been reamedand the new valve assembly 10 has been installed. An o-ring groove 41,as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is made up of walls 45 and 47 on the plug 52.These walls protrude from the center of the plug 52 and allow for theinstallation of an o-ring 54. This o-ring 54, as shown in FIG. 8, fitsin the o-ring groove 41, and creates a more positive seal at the end ofthe bore. It is the combination of the plug and the o-ring that preventsEPC/TV pressure from escaping through the valve body casing bore. Theplug 52 does not make contact with the valve assembly 10, but rather isinserted in the end of opening of the valve body casing bore after it isreamed and the valve 10 is installed. There are no threads to hold theplug 52 in place, rather it is forced into the bore where it is heldunder its own power.

[0031] In the foregoing description of the invention, reference to thedrawings, certain terms, have been used for clarity, conciseness andcomprehension. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be impliedfrom or because of the terms used, beyond the requirements of the priorart, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and areintended to be broadly construed. Furthermore, the description andillustration of the invention are by way of example, and the scope ofthe invention is not limited to the exact details shown, represented, ordescribed.

[0032] While the present invention has been described with reference tospecific embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limitedbut rather includes any and all changes and modifications thereto whichwould be apparent to those skilled in the art and which come within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A pressure regulator valve assembly, designed forreplacement of an original equipment valve and to fit into an existingvalve body casing bore, for a land motor vehicle comprising a. a valvebody; b. a valve snout, attached to said valve body, further comprisingan inner end and outer end; c. a ball, placed inside said valve body andattached to said inner end of said valve snout; d. a spring, placedinside said valve body and attached to said valve body contacting saidball; e. lubricating means for lubricating inner portions of said valvebody between said ball and inner walls of said valve snout f. pluggingmeans for sealing the end opening of the valve body casing bore in whichthe pressure regulator valve assembly resides, said plugging meansutilize an o-ring for a more positive seal.
 2. The pressure regulatorvalve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve body may be fabricatedfrom anodized aluminum.
 3. The pressure regulator valve assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said ball may be fabricated from pure steel and have adiameter of 1.1875 inches.
 4. The pressure regulator valve assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said spring may be fabricated from a musical wire. 5.The pressure regulator valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valveassembly further comprises annular grooves, wherein said annular groovesprevent side loading of said valve assembly and properly center saidvalve assembly in a bore of a land motor vehicle transmission system. 6.The pressure regulator valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said pluggingmeans utilizes an o-ring groove.
 7. The pressure regulator valveassembly of claim 6, wherein said o-ring groove has side walls, whereinsaid side walls are extending outwardly away from said plugging means.